The Lady Who Came in from the Cold(35)
Owen had crowed with delight when he’d been crowned king.
His brothers had been less pleased.
“I’m afraid we raised a tyrant. Or, more accurately, three of them.” Penny traced delicate circles on his chest with her index finger. “I do hope they’ll be on better behavior when Agatha meets them next month.”
Knowing how much his wife was looking forward to Agatha’s visit, Marcus grinned. “You just don’t want to admit that I was right and you were wrong when it comes to the boys being little hellions. Might as well admit defeat now, love: Agatha’s going to side with me, and you know it.”
“All right, I admit it. You win.” Penny raised her head, smiling ruefully. Her new ruby and diamond earbobs, the Christmas gift he’d given her to match her necklace, caught the light of the fire and glittered richly against her dark hair.
He touched one earring. “These suit you.”
“I love them, and I love you. Which reminds me—I’ve a gift for you, too.” She left the bed to retrieve it.
Watching the delightful sway of his wife’s ass, he waggled his brows and said, “Didn’t you just give it to me?”
She tossed him a saucy wink over her shoulder. “That was your Christmas present.” She plucked something from her vanity and returned to the bed, handing him a black velvet box. “This is to celebrate our anniversary.”
It struck him then.
“The first time we met was on Christmas,” he murmured. “All those years ago.”
She smiled. “Precisely. Now aren’t you going to open the box?”
He sat up and removed the lid. A handsome gold watch lay nestled against the white satin lining. Lifting it out, he admired it, saying, “Thank you, darling. It’s a fine piece.”
“It’s engraved,” she said.
He turned it over, and his throat clogged. He ran his thumb over the elegant script.
Together through every season.
Setting the watch carefully back into the box, he pulled Penny into his arms and poured his love for her into a long, sweet kiss. They were both breathless when it ended.
“You like it then?” Penny said, her cheeks flushed.
“I adore it. And I adore you.” He tucked a silken curl behind her ear. “But I’m afraid I didn’t get an anniversary present for you. We shall rectify that oversight first thing tomorrow. You can have anything you want.”
“Anything I want?” Her eyes sparkled more brilliantly than the rubies.
“Anything within my power to give,” he said solemnly.
She leaned in, bringing her lips to his ear. There, she whispered her heart’s desire.
He gave a husky laugh. Staring into his beloved’s eyes, he murmured, “As to that, I can make no guarantees, my darling, other than to do my very best.”
He kissed her and, as he’d promised, did his very best.
Twice.
And because Marcus was a gentleman of honor, one who kept his word to his cherished wife, nine months later Miss Georgiana Flora Aileen Harrington was welcomed joyfully into the world.
The End